What are the symptoms of diabetes mellitus?

A:

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Common symptoms of diabetes mellitus include excessive thirst, very dry skin, slow-healing sores, frequent urination and extreme hunger, according to the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Additional symptoms include unexplained weight loss and an increase in the number of infections.

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Sudden vision changes, numbness or tingling in the feet or hands, and consistent fatigue are other symptoms of diabetes mellitus, as the University of California San Francisco Medical Center explains. Irritability and the presence of ketones in the urine are also symptoms, states Mayo Clinic.

General symptoms are the same for all three main types of diabetes, which are Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes, notes UCSF. Some individuals may experience just a few symptoms, while others do not experience any symptoms at all.

The presence of symptoms depends on the type of diabetes, explains Mayo Clinic. People with Type 1 diabetes typically experience severe, sudden symptoms, while people with Type 2 diabetes may not have any symptoms.

Type 1 diabetes generally develops in childhood; however, it can develop at any age, notes Mayo Clinic. Type 2 diabetes is most common in people over the age of 40, but it can also develop at any time. Gestational diabetes occurs as a result of pregnancy.